Politics · Spain · 11 hrs ago
Sánchez says Puente was right to resign after deadly train crashes
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Óscar Puente was right to resign as transport minister after two train crashes in nine months killed 115 people.
Sánchez said Puente told him by message shortly before announcing his decision publicly in Congress.
Puente also gave up his place as the Socialist Party's lead candidate in Valladolid for the November 29 election.
Sánchez said Puente's departure could help rebuild trust in Spain's rail system, after he had explained the Urda crash and presented support and solutions for families and injured people.
Sánchez said he was surprised but did not blame Puente, and accepted that responsibility ultimately rested with him as prime minister.
Carlos Cuerpo has replaced Puente as transport minister, and Sánchez said he still intends to seek re-election.
The interview did not say what further steps the government would take on rail safety.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said former Transport Minister Óscar Puente was right to resign after two train crashes that killed 115 people.
Sánchez said he was surprised when Puente told him by message that his decision to resign was irrevocable.
He said Puente’s departure helped restore some public trust in the rail system.
Sánchez said he had asked Puente to stay in office but accepted his decision.
Carlos Cuerpo has replaced Puente as transport minister.
- Who
- Pedro Sánchez said former Transport Minister Óscar Puente was right to resign.
- What
- Puente resigned after two train crashes in Spain that killed 115 people. Sánchez said the departure helped rebuild trust in the rail system.
- When
- Sánchez made the comments in an interview on Monday, 9 November 2026. The crashes occurred within a nine-month period.
- Where
- Spain; Sánchez spoke in an interview on La Séptima.
- Why
- The article links Puente’s resignation to the two fatal train crashes. It does not state his specific reason for resigning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Two train crashes occurred in Spain, causing a total of 115 deaths.
Puente informed Sánchez by message of his irrevocable decision to resign.
Sánchez said in a La Séptima interview that Puente had done the right thing by resigning.
- Fatalities
- 115 people
- Train crashes
- Two in Spain within nine months
- Resignation
- Óscar Puente resigned as transport minister
- Successor
- Carlos Cuerpo replaced Puente as transport minister
- Interview date
- 9 November 2026
What people are saying
He did the right thing
The responsibility is always mine, I am the president of the Government